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Search is More Important than Social for Local Businesses

According to a recent study conducted by Pew Internet and American Life Foundation, users turn to search engines rather than social media when finding information about local businesses. Pew surveyed about 1,000 adults in January 2011 and gathered the following information.

To find information on bars, clubs and restaurants:

38% of people use search engines.
17% of people use specialty websites.
3% of people use social media.

To find information on other types of local businesses:

36% of people use search engines.
16% of people use specialty websites.
1% of people use social media.

Although Pew found that about 14 different sources were used to get local business information, the Yellow Pages was not even a choice given to the respondents. This just goes to show how obsolete the Yellow Pages have become.